Code Talkers to be honored Thursday

By Karen Francis
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — It’s been about 40 years since the secret that helped to win World War II was declassified and the Navajo people found out it was their own language and people who created an unbreakable code to confuse the enemy.

This year will mark the second year that the Navajo Code Talkers Day is being observed as an official tribal holiday, and a program will be held at the Navajo Veterans Memorial Park in Window Rock on Thursday.

The day used to be celebrated mainly by family members, said Larry Foster, son of Code Talker Harry Foster. Now it’s a holiday celebrated by the Navajo Nation, but it was a long road to get it recognized.

Though the Code Talkers are getting on in years, Foster predicts that many of the surviving Code Talkers will be at the ceremony. Some will be coming in from Phoenix, Parker, Ariz., and Albuquerque to join in the day’s activities.

“A lot of the Code Talkers — they built their communities,” Foster said. Many became administrators or elected officials, he said.

Foster added that many people don’t know much about the Code Talkers and the purpose of the Code Talkers Association is to educate the people about them.

The day will begin with a parade at 9 a.m. At 10 a.m. the program will begin with the posting of colors by the Tse Hootsooi Twin Warriors Society and an opening prayer by Navajo Code Talker Jimmie Begay. Miss Navajo Nation 2007-2008 Jonathea Tso is scheduled to sing the national anthem, and President Joe Shirley Jr. will deliver the welcome address. Council Delegate Larry Anderson, Fort Defiance , who sponsored the resolution establishing Navajo Code Talker Day, will read the resolution. Award-winning Native American flutist Robert “Tree” Cody will perform an honor song and Brig. Gen. Everett H. Thomas will speak about the Code Talkers’ contribution to the United States. Thomas will also ride his Harley in the parade, according to a military spokesman in Albuquerque. Chris Proctor will play “Taps,” and Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan will address the audience. Congressman Tom Udall is scheduled to speak before Keith Little, president of the Navajo Code Talkers Association, delivers closing remarks. The Chinle High School senior class will also take part in the closing of the ceremony.

At noon, lunch will be served by Culinary Design Catering. The Navajo Nation Band and Tse Hootsooi Immersion School are also scheduled for the lunch break.

At 1 p.m., the Santa Fe duo Indigie Femme will provide entertainment.

A gourd dance, coordinated by Foster, will begin at 3 p.m. with the posting of colors and invocation. A presentation will be made on the history of the Navajo Veterans Memorial Park. Families of Navajo Code Talkers will also conduct a give-away for veterans during the gourd dance. The final gourd dance song will be at 7 p.m.

The gourd dance drum will be the Intertribal Veterans Association, led by Paul Bemore, U.S. Marine Corps Master of ceremony will be Michael Salabiye, son of a Code Talker. Head gourd dancer is Perry James, U.S. Marine Corps.
Many of the organizers for the day’s activities are families of the Code Talkers. Though Foster knew nothing about his father’s service growing up, he now travels the country teaching about the history of the Code Talkers and the code.
The day of Aug. 14, 1982, was chosen to honor the Code Talkers by President Ronald Reagan as “National Navaho [sic] Code Talkers Day.” The Japanese surrendered to the Allies on Aug. 14, 1945.

The Navajo Nation’s legislation establishing Navajo Code Talkers Day states that the day is “dedicated to the Navajo Code Talkers who gave of their special talents and lives for the good of their Country and people.” The Council voted 56-0 to establish the holiday on Dec. 22, 2006, and Shirley signed it into law on Jan. 15, 2007.